< Previous species


PYRAMIDELLIDAE


Next species >


7191-1.jpg (243552 bytes)

 

 

Turbonilla portseaensis (Gatliff & Gabriel, 1911)

Description: Shell medium size, relatively wide for genus, spire convex in outline, up to 8 whorls. Protoconch coiled (Type B), low, of about 2 whorls, set on teleoconch with axis inclined at about 110° to teleoconch axis. Teleoconch whorls moderately convex, sculptured with about 20 strong axial folds, on last whorl terminating level with top of aperture. Spiral sculpture of fine spiral threads in interspaces, continuing onto base of last whorl. Aperture wide, columella with one low, wide plait. Shell opaque white.

Size: Up to 5.3 mm in length.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Clarence River, NSW, southwards and around southern Australia to SA, including Tas.

Habitat: Occurs in estuaries and on the open coast. In estuaries it is associated with seagrass and brown algae in the shallow sublittoral zone (Ponder, Clark & Dallwitz, 2000).

Synonymy: Pyrgiscus flexicosta Laseron, 1951 is a previously recognised synonym.

Remarks: Vafiadis (2007, fig. 2c) gave a photograph of the animal in the shell.

Fig. 1: Portsea, Phillip Island, Victoria (C.032234 PARATYPE)

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2016